Beginner Class Levels

Basic Computer SkillsDiscover what a computer mouse is and have fun practicing basic mouse functions with in-class exercises. Learn to open and close software programs. Learn and practice the proper procedures for turning on and shutting down your computer. Discover the differences between hardware and software. Learn about computer components. Learn basic functions of the Windows operating system that enable you to become familiar with personalizing your computer, pinning to the task bar, and more. Practice using various Windows components such as working with multiple windows and using menus. You will also learn about computer viruses and how to protect your machine.

Windows 10Personalize your Windows 10 experience, learn how to navigate, check out the exciting new features, and add new Apps to your PC. You will learn where to find Windows & other updates.

Typing Are you a hunt and peck typist or would you just like to improve your typing speed? This class will teach you the basics of typing through a series of very basic exercises. Proper keying position and technique will be stressed. Participants must bring in a set of headphones (to follow auditory instructions from the computer) or buy an inexpensive set at the Circulation desk in the library.

Intermediate Class Levels

Office 2013-2016 Essential SkillsThe new features include enhanced design tools, shared notebooks for working in groups, mobile versions and a digital notebook for managing and sharing multimedia information. This course will introduce you to the newest features before you begin our new Microsoft classes. Attendance at Introduction Series is preferred.

Email Basics, Part 1: Read, Respond, Write, and PrintLearn how to use the basic features of an e-mail account to communicate quickly and conveniently with friends, family, and colleagues. Tips for printing messages will also be demonstrated. This class is only for those who need an email account. If you already have an account, then come to E-mail Part 2. Attendance at Internet, Part 1 or prior Internet experience is preferred.

Email Basics, Part 2: Message ManagementLearn how to attach files to outgoing messages and open incoming attachments. Organize your list of contacts using an Address Book. Learn how to create folders for filing messages. Experience using an e-mail account or attendance at E-mail Basics, Part 1 is required.

Internet, Part 1: An IntroductionLearn how to access the Internet in the library and from your home computer. During class, you will practice basic Internet searching using web directories and search engines. Attendance at Basic Computer Skills is preferred.

Internet, Part 2: Searching, Printing, and FavoritesLearn how to make better use of search engine features for more successful Internet searching. Practice saving your favorite websites and printing Internet content. Attendance at Internet, Part 1 or prior Internet experience is preferred.

Google Drive I and IIIn this class you will sign-up for a Google account in order for you to begin using Google Drive. There will be a discussion about the different features of Google Drive and cloud storage. Google Drive II will build on content learned in Google 1. Having some knowledge of Internet Usage before taking this class is recommended.

Introduction to FacebookAfter registering to use the site, users can create a user profile, add other users as "friends", exchange messages, post status updates and photos, share videos and receive notifications when others update their profiles. Additionally, users may join common-interest user groups, organized by workplace, school or college, or other characteristics, and categorize their friends into lists such as "People From Work" or "Close Friends". Attendance at Internet, Parts 1 & 2 or prior Internet experience is preferred.

Introduction to PinterestPinterest is a free website that requires registration to use. Users can upload, save, sort, and manage images—known as pins—and other media content (e.g., videos and images) through collections known as pinboards. Users can browse the content of others on the main page. Users can then save individual pins to one of their own boards using the "Pin It" button, with Pinboards typically organized by a central topic or theme. Users can personalize their experience with Pinterest by pinning items, creating boards, and interacting with other members. Attendance at Internet, Part 1 or prior Internet experience is preferred.

LinkedInLinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social network. It offers tools to help users find job openings, businesses to hire employees and promote their own, or simply network with other professionals. Your profile on LinkedIn acts as your online resumé, featuring your experience, skills, and recommendations from colleagues or supervisors. Since your existing connections can directly introduce you to others, you can quickly expand your professional network. This class will cover the free LinkedIn basic account.

MS Word, Part 2: Formatting Text & ParagraphsMake your document stand out! Explore the different ways to change how text looks. Learn how to change the style and effect of text. Discover additional formatting techniques that can be applied to document paragraphs. Attendance at MS Word, Part 1 is preferred.

MS Word, Part 3: More Useful Formatting ToolsDiscover how to use more useful tools to edit your documents like signature lines, creating a PDF, comments, tables, formulas to perform math functions, create charts, create a book format, and protect your document. Attendance at MS Word, Part 2 is preferred.

Mail MergeLearn how to create letters, labels, and envelopes for mass mailings. Learn how to create address lists to facilitate this process using Microsoft Excel. Ideal for Christmas cards, weddings, family reunion letters, and more! Microsoft Word 2013-2016 will be demonstrated in class. Some experience with Microsoft Word and Excel is required.

MS Excel, Part 1: Opening & Creating WorkbooksLearn how to create basic workbook files using Microsoft Excel 2013-2016. Discover how to organize data more efficiently using spreadsheets. Attendance at MS Word, Part 1 is preferred.

MS Excel, Part 2: Formatting and Modifying WorkbooksDiscover how to modify columns, rows, and format cells. Practice the different ways to duplicate, move, and edit data. Attendance at MS Word, Part 1 is preferred.

MS Excel, Part 3: More on Formatting Cells and Worksheet BasicsLearn how to format text and numbers in cells and learn the worksheet basics – setting print area, inserting headers/footers, page margins, etc. Attendance at MS Word, Part 2 is preferred.

MS Excel, Part 4: Introduction to Formulas & Excel FunctionsLet Excel do the math for you! Practice creating and applying formulas to your worksheets and learn how Excel Functions work. Learn how to maximize your data with these helpful tools. Attendance at MS Word, Part 3 is preferred.

MS Excel, Part 5: Sorting, Filtering Data, Creating Custom Lists and MoreExperience the more advanced features associated with Excel. Learn how to sort and filter your data and create customized lists for your workbooks. Attendance at MS Word, Part 4 is preferred.

MS Excel, Part 6: Charts & Advanced Custom Tools for WorksheetsExperience the more advanced features associated with Excel. Learn how to draw a chart for your data, how to track changes, and finalize your workbook. Attendance at MS Word, Part 4 & 5 is preferred.

MS PowerPoint, Part 1: The BasicsLearn how to create and present slideshow presentations with PowerPoint 2013-2016. Attendance at Basic Computer Skills is preferred.

MS PowerPoint, Part 2: Notes, Links, & GraphicsLearn how to use PowerPoint’s advanced features to customize your presentations. Experience with using PowerPoint or attendance at PowerPoint, Part 1 is preferred.

MS PowerPoint, Part 3: Advanced FeaturesAdvanced features covered include photo album shows, automation, animation, more with backgrounds, charts, and other miscellaneous items. Experience with using PowerPoint or attendance at PowerPoint, Part 2 is preferred.

Open Lab/Resumé WorkshopCome with your questions! Come to practice what you’ve learned in class! Open lab time is an opportunity to work on computers in the lab with an instructor present to answer any questions you may have. Bring a chronology of your work and/or educational history to these workshops, and use resumé writing software to clearly define your skills and qualifications. Save your work as an electronic document and leave our workshop with a high impact, ready-to-print product. Attendees must bring a flash drive on which to save their work.

Special Topics

(May not be offered on a regular basis)

KindlesDo you own a Kindle and want to know how to get e-books from the library? Then this is the class for you. Prior Internet experience is preferred.

TabletsDo you own a Tablet such as, iPad, ASUS Transformer, Nook Color or Tablet, etc. and want to know how to get e-books from the library? Then, this is the class for you. Prior Internet experience is preferred.

iPads & BeyondDo you own an iPad and want to know where to begin? This class will take you through setting up your iPad to downloading Apps. Must know your Apple ID to download Apps.

Introduction to Android DevicesDo you own an Android tablet and want to know where to begin? This class will take you through setting up your device to downloading Apps. Must know your gmail account.

MS Excel, Pivot TablesDo you want to know how to make large, complex sets of data more comprehensible and easier to understand at a glance? Come to this course to learn when you have a large amount of data to sum and you want to compare several facts about each figure. Attendance at MS Excel 3, 4 & 5 is preferred.

Advanced Excel FormulasIn this class, you will learn to use some advanced formula tools that include math, financial, logical and date functions along with some data analysis tools. You must be proficient in Excel or should have completed Excel Levels 1 through 6 to be in this class.

TechZone Workshops

Design ComputersWhere your dreams become a reality. Use these PCs to start developing your ideas using either Adobe Creative Cloud and/or Corel.

3D PrinterOnce you have your design, use the 3D Printer to make a model of your product. The charge for an item will be $1.00 per hour.

Button MakerUse the button maker to create buttons or magnets to promote your business, a student athlete or band member, etc. We offer 2.25 or 3 inch buttons and magnets for $.25 per item.

Embroidery MachineExplore your creative side with elna's embroidery machine, eXpressive 830. You can personalize, embellish and monogram home décor items, garments and accessories. Includes 60 built-in designs and 6 fonts for monogramming.

Green ScreenWant to interview someone or make a commercial and then superimpose your subjects onto a virtual background? Then the green screen is for you.

Heat PressDesign your graphics or words to print on Siser’s Color-Print-Easy heat transfer vinyl by using our Vinyl Printer. We offer the ability to print your designs up to 19” width for $5.00 for a linear foot. Transfer the print onto your cotton T-Shirts by using George Knight Heat Press 16”x20” for free.

LaminatingWant to laminate an award you received, a drawing, or an id card? Stop by the TechZone desk for help. The price to laminate is $.40 a pouch.

Media Transfer StationDo you have old negatives, VHS, pictures, super 8mm, Vinyl LPs, or cassettes that you would love to have a digital copy? Then this is the station for you.

Photo PrinterDid you take pictures with your phone, digital camera, or tablet on vacation, at a special event, or when you were out and about? Then use our photo printer to get a hard copy of those snapshots. We offer the ability to print a 4x6 photo for $.25 or 5x7 photo for $.50.

Recording StudioHave that new top ten hit in your head but don’t know how to get it produced? The recording studio has virtual instruments, music loops and studio quality recording software to help you sound great.

Sewing MachineUse the elna sewing machine to create the newest fashion or mend an item.

SilhouetteDo you like to scrapbook or make homemade cards? Then let the silhouette help you cut out fun shapes, draw cool sayings, etc.

Studio in a BoxUse the studio in a box to take professional photos of the items you have created.

Vinyl PrinterUse the vinyl printer to make a banner, a window cling or fabric cling to advertise your business, decorate your home, etc. Any material currently available is $2.00 per linear foot. (Removable Vinyl, Clear and White Static Cling, Permanent Adhesive, Vinyl Banner Matte and Gloss, and White Paper Gloss)

Akron-Summit County Public Library60 South High Street, Akron, Ohio 44326330.643.9000